Decision on Droylsden landmark due next week

The fate of one of Droylsden’s most recognisable buildings will be decided next week.

Tameside council’s planning panel will consider a proposal to tear down part of the Concord Suite in the town centre. The scheme would essentially demolish the upper parts of the building, including the former function room and dance hall, whilst keeping the lower levels and securing the remaining structure.

The idea, tabled by the local authority, is to prepare the building for the planned redevelopment of the landmark into a space for housing, retail and leisure.

This is the latest step in the progression of the Droylsden Masterplan. The council says this project will create new opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors while strengthening the town centre for future generations.

Objections to the plans have been lodged by locals and will be considered by the panel when they convene on October 14. There is concern the plans could negatively impact on the surrounding businesses in Droylsden Shopping Centre through closures due to demolition works.

Other objections said the brutalist structure should be preserved and re-used as a part of Droylsden’s cultural heritage. There were also supportive representations submitted, which hoped this could spark investment into the towns and create growth and new jobs.

The iconic building, in the heart of the Tameside town, was built in the early 1970s and served as a base for the now defunct Droylsden Council. It was also a venue for weddings, community events and dances in its heyday. Now it sits empty and lifeless.

Speaking previously, Cllr Andrew McLaren, executive member, growth, housing and homelessness said: “Residents and businesses told us they wanted to see progress on the Concord Suite and a clear plan for its future. This application signals real progress and demonstrates our commitment to turning long-held ambitions into action.

“We want to see this site once again playing an important role at the heart of Droylsden, creating a better, greener, and more vibrant town centre for everyone and helping attract further investment into the town centre.

“This application is an important milestone, but it is also only one part of a much bigger programme of regeneration across Tameside. We will continue working with partners, investors and funding bodies to help unlock the future potential of this site and deliver the wider vision for Droylsden town centre.”

Droylsden is the only Tameside town on the inside of the M60, meaning it is the closest geographically to Manchester. With key infrastructure such as Metrolink already operational, there is belief among planners that it can undergo ‘transformational change’ and become a go-to spot for locals and punters from further afield.

Other aspects of the masterplan include a revamp of the public squares; better links between old and new housing developments to the town centre; and a canal park, which would connect the main central hub to Droylsden Marina.